HMS Polyphemus (1881)

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Image:PolyphemusShip.jpg Image:PolyphemusRam.jpg HMS Polyphemus was a Royal Navy torpedo ram, named after the Polyphemus of Greek mythology. The only torpedo ram ever commissioned into the Royal Navy (numerous torpedo rams were commissioned into other navies), the ship had a unique design — a low hull with a lightly-armoured turtle-back, a battery of submerged torpedo tubes (for which she was the trial vessel) and a ram-prow. No sister ships were ever built.

The fictional HMS Thunder Child, from H.G. Wells' novel, is thought to be based on this ship, though most artworks show a depiction of the Thunder Child as either an ironclad or a pre-dreadnought battleship, both vastly different in appearance.

For other Royal Navy vessels of the same name, see HMS Polyphemus.